Rollie E Burford

Rollie E. Burford serves as a Contract Specialist within the Military Sealift Command (MSC), where he plays a pivotal role in executing strategic sealift and ocean transportation acquisitions critical to U.S. naval readiness. Responsible for the full lifecycle of procurement actions, Burford manages complex contract solicitations, negotiations, and award actions for deep-sea freight transportation services that sustain global naval operations. His work directly supports MSC’s mission to maintain a responsive fleet of government-owned and chartered vessels, ensuring the timely movement of fuel, ammunition, supplies, and equipment in support of expeditionary warfare. He specializes in fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contracts under FAR and DFARS frameworks, often coordinating with technical evaluators, logistics planners, and maritime operations teams to align contractual requirements with operational needs. Burford’s contracting activities involve close collaboration with a select group of qualified maritime service providers, including vessel operators, marine engineering firms, and logistics integrators with proven experience in oceanic transport and fleet support. While no single contractor dominates his portfolio, he consistently engages vendors with demonstrated capabilities in international shipping, vessel maintenance, and crew management under U.S.-flagged or foreign-flagged charter arrangements. His working relationships are characterized by a focus on performance-based outcomes, compliance with maritime safety standards, and adherence to DoD transportation policies. Burford’s procurement patterns reflect a strong preference for full and open competition, with 100% of his acquisitions conducted without set-asides. This indicates a focus on capability and capacity over socioeconomic classifications, prioritizing mission-critical performance and operational readiness above small business set-aside programs such as 8(a), HUBZone, or SDVOSB. His primary technical domain is NAICS 483111 — Deep Sea Freight Transportation — where he procures commercial and government-chartered vessel services for long-haul, intercontinental cargo movement. His expertise lies in contracting for heavy-lift, roll-on/roll-off, and containerized transport systems, with an emphasis on vessel reliability, crew qualifications, and compliance with international maritime regulations.